Handicappers' Corner: Al Kazeem Eclipses Sandown rivals

It is said that the sign of a good referee (or racecourse judge for that matter) is one that you don't notice. I don't think it's been said about a Group 1 racehorse before, but Al Kazeem has worked his way to the top in understated fashion, completing a hat-trick of wins in top company in little over forty days when as much of the coverage has centred on the beaten rivals as on Al Kazeem himself.

Taking on once again the best from the Prince of Wales's field as well as the Queen Anne winner Declaration of War and Mars, the sole representation of the 3-y-o, Al Kazeem came out on top again, winning with more authority than at Royal Ascot, even if the winning margin was exaggerated by him hampering Mukhadram and costing that horse second place. 

Narrowly the top-rated on 127 prior to Saturday's race when all bar Miblish were separated by just 3 lb, Al Kazeem improves to 129. A figure in the high 120s or low 130s is very much backed up by both historical race standards from the Eclipse as well as prior-rating standards taking into account the ratings of the field on the day.

A rating of 129 is slightly above average for an Eclipse winner, only So You Think (131) in 2011, Sea The Stars (136) in 2009 and Giant's Causeway (130) in 2000 have been rated higher since the turn of the century. 

Now the highest-rated middle-distance horse trained in Britain and Ireland (Farhh gets his 132 rating from his performances at 1m), from a personal viewpoint it is a little disappointing that Al Kazeem is to be given a break and miss the King George, but his preferred target is either the Juddmonte International or Irish Champion Stakes prior to a run in the Arc.

Looking ahead to those contests, a median rating of 129 has been required to win the Juddmonte International in recent seasons while a figure of 130 has been required for the Irish Champion Stakes and Arc. 

As Simon Rowlands' points out in his sectional debrief on the Eclipse, Al Kazeem's last three races have all unfolded in similar fashion, with him quickening up best over a mile and a quarter. It could be that future races, at a stronger pace, or over a longer trip test his versatility as much as his ability.

Al Kazeem is currently disputing favouritism for the Arc, alongside last year's runner-up Orfevre and the top French-trained 3-y-o colt, Intello. The Arc is often won by the top French-trained 3-y-o colt, but few in that category have the profile ofIntello. 

The form of his win in the Prix du Jockey Club was boosted at Royal Ascot by the performances of Mshawish and Shikarpour and he successfully dropped back to a mile to win the Group 3 Prix Messidor on Sunday. With upwards of 6 lb in hand of his rivals, he didn't need to improve and remains rated 125p. He's likely to head to the Prix Jacques Le Marois next, setting up a possible clash with 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace winner Dawn Approach (130).

There was a plethora of Group and listed race action to support Sandown's two-day Eclipse meeting, Tickled Pink got back on track to win the Charge, only having to return to the 117 she recorded in the Abernant in a race that panned out well for her.

Later on Saturday's card, Sir Michael Stoute enhanced an excellent record in the Distaff as Integral put up a smart effort to maintain her unbeaten record. A daughter of Matron Stakes winner Echelon, who was an unfortunate loser of the 2005 renewal of the Distaff, Integral earned a rating of 110p for her performance on Saturday, one that suggests she'll prove up to holding her own at the highest level later in the season.

The pick of the action on Friday was the listed race over a mile and a quarter won by Mandour. This was a drop in class for him, having finished third in the Prix d'Ispahan on his previous start, he didn't need to reproduce his 120+ rating, a figure of 117+ proving sufficient.

The most taking performance in the race came from a lightly-raced 3-y-o making his seasonal reappearance, Excess Knowledge. With plenty of stamina in his pedigree, by Monsun and related to the likes of Day Flight on his dam's side, a steadily-run race was never going to see him to best effect and he was making good late headway in the closing stages. 

Second to Just The Judge in listed company as a 2-y-o, Excess Knowledge improved his rating to 113p, and though further improvement (in the region of 10 lb for a typical St Leger) is required, he looks on the St Leger trail, with a more recognised trial like the Gordon or Great Voltigeur perhaps on his agenda.

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